Chapter 7
Lucas told Joe he was going out for a walk to clear his head after a day of trying to make sense of his finances. He wanted to give himself and Ella a real shot before their family drama could dictate what happened next.
He walked along the cobblestone streets, making note of all the different storefronts and was happy when he came across a coffee shop. He stepped into The Local Bean, the smell of fresh brew engulfing him, and made his way to the counter.
“Hi there,” the woman behind the counter said. Her platinum blonde hair sat in waves just above her shoulders and her brown eyes were warm and friendly. “What can I get you today?”
“I would like two coffees. One iced black and the other hot with a splash of half and half and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
The woman gave him a curious glance before typing his order into the register. “Is that it?”
“That’s it,” he said.
“Coming right up.”
She turned away from the counter, and Lucas checked his phone, scanning through his emails to make sure there were no fires at work he’d have to put out. Leo and Brian were right. It seemed everything was running smoothly, and his team was handling anything that was thrown their way. He had hired each one of them, working with them and filtering out the people he didn’t see going the distance. He needed to trust that they had everything under control, but it was hard for him to step away completely. He dedicated the past few years to getting the business up and running and he imagined it was what parents with newborns felt like when they left the baby for the first time over night.
“You from around here?” she asked as she sprinkled cinnamon onto Ella’s coffee.
“California.”
“A Cali boy. What brings you to our little town?”
“Family. My grandfather.” He didn’t offer up Joe’s name. He didn’t know what side this woman was on, and he wasn’t about to open a can of worms.
“Are you staying long?”
“A couple weeks for now.”
She put the lid on Ella’s coffee, poured his, and slid them across the counter. She smiled at him and gave him the total.
He handed her a twenty and waited for his change.
“Don’t be a stranger now,” she said as she placed his change in his hand.
“I won’t.”
He took the coffees, but before he turned away, he stopped. “Do you know the fastest way to get to the lighthouse?” he asked.
Her perfectly shaped eyebrow lifted. “The lighthouse, you say?”
“Yeah, I know it’s on the north end of town about ten minutes away…”
“You walking?”
“I am,” he said. He thought about renting a car when he arrived, but everything seemed to be within walking distance, and he still had Frank’s card in his pocket if he needed to go farther.
“Just take the main road straight down,” she said, pointing toward the street. “Stay in the bike lane, and you should be okay. The entrance to the beach will be on your left-hand side. Obviously if you pass the lighthouse, you’ve gone too far.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Any time. You have a good evening.”
“You too.”
Ella was right. It was about ten minutes from start to finish. He spotted the entrance to the beach and made his way down the sandy path. The path was narrow but opened up the farther he got and as the sound of the waves crashing against the shore grew louder, the path opened up completely.
He took in the water and the sky, both extending infinitely into the horizon. The smell of salt hung in the air and a cool breeze caused his shirt to ripple across his chest. It was a little warmer than the night before, so he decided to leave his jacket behind. He hoped his California warm-blooded self wouldn’t regret it.
He shifted his gaze toward the white lighthouse with a red top. It stood proudly over the water and its attached station—a white structure with red accents to match.
“You found me,” Ella said and he turned to her voice.
She stood behind him, wind blowing her hair, her cheeks rosy from the slight chill and a smile on her face. She gazed out toward the lighthouse before catching his eyes.
“Is one of those for me?” she asked, pointing to the cups.
“Yes.” He handed her the coffee, and she accepted it gratefully, bringing it to her nose and taking a deep inhale. “You know, I usually don’t drink coffee after five.”
“What happens when you do?” he asked.
“Can’t sleep.”
He smiled. “I’ll keep you company.”
“I can’t stay out too late or my grandfather will have the whole town looking for me.”
“Why don’t I doubt that?”
She poked his arm. “I’m guessing you’re a fast learner.” She spun away from him and walked down the beach. He followed. “So,” she said, coming to a stop and spinning back to him, “you got me here on this coffee date. What’s the plan?”
“I don’t have one. I just wanted to see you again.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Does that line work on all the girls?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never used it on anyone else before.”
Her teeth slid over her lip, the edges of her mouth pulling free and curving upward. “I’m going to take that as a compliment because I don’t think you’re lying.”
“I’m not, but even if I was, how would you know?” he asked, curious to see how her mind worked.
“I’ve been lied to a lot in my life. Eventually you pick up on things. Tell signs that give a person away almost instantly. You, my friend, are free of those signs.” She patted his chest, and he placed his hand on hers, trapping it against him.
She sucked in a startled breath, raising her gaze to his.
“I’ve been lied to a lot, too,” he said. “Mainly by my own father.”
“Mine too.” Her words were a mere whisper that he could just make out over the crashing waves. Hurt etched her eyes; a deep sadness dulled her beautiful brown irises.
He didn’t say anything else, but he felt like he didn’t have to. The exchange in their eyes said enough—an unspoken agreement to never lie to each other. He had no idea where this was going, but he could honor that vow for however long she wanted him around.
A strand of hair broke free of her ponytail and danced across her face. Unable to help himself, he reached out, tucking it back into place. His hand lingered for a moment, wondering what it would be like to cup her cheek and pull her in for a kiss. Would she taste like her coffee? Sweet with a little touch of spice? Would she take control or surrender to him?
Above a seagull squawked, and Ella turned her attention out to the water. “Want to walk?” she asked.
“Sure.”
She headed toward the lighthouse, and he fell in step beside her. “This is my favorite place in the whole town so you should feel special that I’m sharing it with you.”
“What can I say? I feel honored. What makes this place your favorite? I mean there’s an ice cream stand that looks like an actual cup of ice cream that’s pretty darn special.”
Ella laughed. “Don’t poke fun. My best friend actually owns Scoops.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Yup.”
“The one you do Taco Tuesday with?”
She looked as if she couldn’t believe he remembered such a tiny detail. “Yeah, as a matter of fact. Or at least one of them. There are two. Krissy and Cami are the best. Cami owns The Local Bean where you got this coffee, good choice by the way, it’s the best, and Krissy owns Scoops. Her great aunt left it to her.”
“That was nice.”
“Her aunt knew out of everyone in their family Krissy was the only one who wouldn’t sell it as soon as she was buried.”
“Which she didn’t,” he assumed.
“Nope. It’s been hers for three years now, and she loves it.”
“I’ll have to stop by and have a cone. I’d invite you along, but I wouldn’t want to risk anyone seeing us.” He gently nudged her shoulder as she was about to take a sip of her coffee.
She froze mid sip and glanced up at him. “It’s just how it has to be.”
“I get it.” In the beginning he didn’t, but after witnessing their grandfathers going head-to-head, he was starting to understand.
“You do?” she asked, her brows turning inward.
“For now, at least.”
“You’re leaving in a couple weeks so to send our families into a civil war seems pointless.”
“Aren’t they already on the battle field?” he asked.
“Good point. Let’s just not add any more fuel to the fire.”
He nodded. “So… you never told me what makes this place your favorite.”
“There’s a story.”
He laughed. “Why am I not surprised? It seems all small-towns have their stories.”
“This one in particular is pretty great. It ends in tragedy, as do most urban legends, but it’s still very romantic.”
“I’m listening.”
“The lighthouse was constructed in the early 1800’s, but this story takes place years later in 1896. There was a vicious storm, what we east coasters call a Nor’easter. There was a mix of high tides, hurricane force winds, and snow, causing white out conditions along the coast. The keeper had taken ill several days earlier, and his betrothed had been worried since she hadn’t had word from him since. So she braved the storm to go check and make sure he was all right.”
“She didn’t make it, did she?”
“No. But they didn’t find her body until spring when the snow finally melted. The keeper had been holding out hope, and when the body was discovered he was beside himself. That night he went to the top of the lighthouse and jumped. They say on the first big storm of the year you can hear her calling for him.”
“This is a terrible story!” he exclaimed.
“It’s romantic.”
“What’s romantic about a woman freezing to death and a man plunging to his death?”
“She sacrificed her safety for him, and he couldn’t live without her.”
“It’s morbid.”
“That’s your opinion,” she said with a sassy tilt of her head.
“So that’s why you like this place. Because of that awful story?” he asked.
“Partly, but mainly because my mom used to bring me here before she passed.” She smiled, but he could tell it was forced.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was years ago. But this place, I know it’s just a beach, and a lighthouse but it reminds me of her so much. In the winter we’d walk along this strip of beach, bundled up from head to toe because she believed a little fresh air, no matter how cold it was, was good for the soul. In the spring, she’d get takeout from the restaurant and bring the whole family here to have dinner and watch the sunset. In the summer this is where we came to swim and spend the day in the sun. And the fall, we’d always come to see the harvest moon takeover the sky and rise above the lighthouse. It’s silly, but coming here makes me feel like I’m keeping the tradition and her memory alive.”
It was far from silly, and he was sad that she thought it was. It was nice to honor her mother’s memory. “It’s not silly,” he said.
She met his gaze, warm dark brown eyes full of gratitude. “Thanks.”
He was beginning to arrange the puzzle pieces together that made up Ella Moretti, but he still had a few missing links. “Is that why you live with your grandfather?” he asked.
She took a deep breath and stared out to the water. “I didn’t move in with him until five years later when my dad got arrested for dealing drugs. And that is my story.”
He wasn’t expecting that, and the way she blurted it out was as if she wanted to get it out of the way. As if she’d been living with the stigma her whole life and she just wanted to move past it. Living in such a small town everyone probably knew. It was a badge she didn’t earn but had to wear anyway.
Suddenly, he remembered what his grandfather had said to Vinny earlier. Embarrassed for his careless words, Lucas felt the need to try and make amends.
“I’m sorry about my grandfather calling you—”
She waved her hand. “It’s okay. When you have a dad in jail it kind of comes with the territory. Besides, it’s nothing worse than what the kids in school would say.”
“Kids can be cruel,” he said.
“Lucky for me most of them moved away right after graduation.”
“Do you still talk to him?” he asked. “Your dad I mean.”
“Every third Friday of the month.”
Lucas stopped for a moment as realization dawned on him. “That’s why you were on the bus. You were coming home from seeing him.”
She nodded. “The bus ride home is usually pretty miserable but not this last time.”
“Really?” he said with a stupid grin. “And why was that?”
“I conned some poor unsuspecting soul out of his black jelly beans.”
He laughed. “If I remember correctly, there was no conning. I was happy to share.”
“So you think.” Her long eyelashes fluttered, brushing against the apples of her cheeks.
“Next time I’ll be more careful then.”
They continued walking until they came upon a red and black plaid blanket spread out on the sand. Ella didn’t hesitate, sitting down on the plaid square, resting her arms on her legs and holding her coffee in front of her.
“Is this a small-town thing?” he asked, motioning to the blanket. “You sit on other people’s blankets?”
She smiled. “It’s my blanket. I got here a little before you and laid it out for us.”
“Setting the mood?” he asked with a wink.
“Shut up and sit down.” She laughed and patted the spot next to her.
He did exactly as she said. She pulled out her phone and glanced at it before pushing it back into her hoodie pocket.
“Almost time,” she said, staring out to the water.
“Almost time for what?”
“Sunset. I don’t know how your sunsets are in California, but here in Maine, there’s nothing prettier.”
He looked at her, hair tossing around in the gentle breeze, lips pressed against her cup, delicate cheek bones that got lost to the plump curves when she smiled, and all he could think was the sunset had nothing on her.
***
Ella could feel Lucas’s eyes on her, and her skin heated beneath his gaze. Being out here with him was taking a massive risk, but despite knowing she should stay away from him, she couldn’t. There was something between them, and she didn’t want to fight against it.
For so long, she’d put everyone else first, sacrificing her own happiness to ensure everyone else’s, and now she wanted to put herself first. She deserved to take a risk. Lucas was here in Willow Cove for only a few short weeks so what harm was there to have a little fun.
She rested her cheek against her knee, glancing up at him. When he looked down at her she felt it at her core. “Hi,” she said.
He smiled, that adorable dimple making an appearance. “Hi.”
She could see the start of the sunset, the sky changing from blue to pretty streaks of purple and pink, but she didn’t turn to look at the horizon; she was far more interested in the man beside her.
She put her cup down and he moved closer to her, butterflies fluttering in her stomach the closer he got. His warm breath brushed against her skin. “Just so we’re clear,” he said. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“Just so we’re clear,” she breathed. “I’m going to let you.”
He reached up, his strong hand, cupping the curve of her cheek. She closed her eyes, her heart pattering excitedly against her chest. His lips captured hers in a sweet scorching kiss that ignited a fire in her core, spreading to every inch of her body.
His hand slid into her hair, wrapping around the back of her head and angling her so he could deepen the kiss. He licked a line against the seam of her lips, and she parted them, letting him into the damp heat of her mouth.
Their tongues slid against each other in a slick tangle, and tiny stars exploded behind her eyes. A slight moan slipped from her lips, and his hand tightened in her hair. The sweet gentle movements became more desperate and hungry.
She moved her hands to his chest, wanting to feel him beneath her touch. He groaned as her fingers splayed out across the strong expanse and followed up the hard ridges.
Control having been long gone, she kicked her leg over his lap, bringing her sex against his. She rocked against him, their tongues mimicking the slow sensual movements of their bodies.
She had no intention of it going this far, but one press of his lips against hers and her brain had turned off. All she wanted was to feel every inch of him against her. His cool hands slid beneath her shirt, resting on the bare skin of her back. A shiver ran up her spine, short circuiting what little willpower she had.
He grabbed her waist, and with one fluid movement flipped her beneath him. He looked down at her, blue eyes darkened with desire. “If I don’t stop now,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “I don’t think I’ll be able to.”
“Then don’t,” she said, surprising herself.
He kissed her nose and smiled. “I swear I deserve the biggest bag of black jelly beans for what I’m about to do.”
Her eyebrows curved inward as he pushed himself off of her and rolled over. He turned his head, and she looked at him, confusion swirling around her mind.
“Why did you stop?” she asked.
“Because I like you.”
She sat up. “Okay… now I’m really confused.”
He rested his arm over his eyes then lowered it, revealing the beautiful blue. “I don’t want to ruin this by moving too fast.”
“I can respect that,” she said.
“Good.” He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her toward him. “Let’s watch that sunset.”
She cuddled into his side, resting her head on his chest and watched the world surrender to the beauty of nightfall.